Santa Ana woman stabbed: Charges filed

Luis Antonio Garcia Morales, 24, appears in an Orange County courtroom on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. He is accused in the murder of his former girlfriend, who was found stabbed to death in a Santa Ana alley.

November 19, 2012 12:00:00 AM PST

SANTA ANA, Calif. --

A 24-year-old man was charged Monday with the murder of his former girlfriend, who was found stabbed to death in a Santa Ana alley.

Luis Antonio Garcia Morales was charged with one felony count of special circumstance murder by lying in wait with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon.

Maria Isabel Cerrillo's body was found around 7:40 p.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of N. Laurel Street, about three and half miles from her home. Prosecutors allege Morales arranged to meet the 21-year-old victim in an alleyway, and then stabbed her repeatedly. He was arrested Thursday morning.

Morales's vehicle was located in Garden Grove. He had sold it Wednesday night to a private party, according to police. The vehicle was recovered and impounded by police.

Morales is being held without bail. His arraigned was rescheduled to Dec. 14. If convicted, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.